PHILIP Hammond’s “gloomy” outlook is “blocking” Brexit and now business chiefs have joined Margaret Thatcher’s former Chancellor in demanding a more positivity.

Nigel Lawson expressed fears that Mr Hammond was being “grossly negligent” in his refusal to prepare for an unlikely no deal Brexit scenario.

He said: “He may not intend it, but in practice what he is doing is very close to sabotage.”

The former Chancellor’s sentiment was echoed by Marcus Dolman, the joint chairman of the British Exporters’ Association and senior executive at Rolls-Royce, who told Mr Hammond to quell his Brexit anxieties.

He claimed: “He’s probably talking a bit negatively. We need to be positive about this.